Overview & Reviews

Why are Honda vehicles so highly regarded by American drivers? Certainly, their excellent reputation for reliability and quality is a major factor. But it also has to do with the overall driving and owning experience. Read any Honda review and you'll likely notice common themes such as thoughtful design, a friendly nature, better-than-average fuel economy and attention to safety.

Japan-based Honda Motor Company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda. The company got its start making motorbikes. Japan had been rendered cash poor and fuel-starved after World War II, and its citizens were hurting for an inexpensive, fuel-efficient mode of transportation. Honda's first motorcycles mated engines with bicycles to create a motorbike that was cheap to make and operate.

Honda's bikes quickly evolved into vehicles far more sophisticated than small engines stuck into bicycle frames. The manufacturer's 1949 D-Type could reach speeds of up to 50 mph, and offered front and rear suspension. The 1950s saw the launch of the successful Juno scooter, built to steal market share from the Vespa knockoffs that were popular in Japan at that time. In the latter part of that decade, Honda introduced the ultra-successful C100 Super Cub. The motorbike was remarkably easy to operate and featured a crossbar-free frame that made it popular with women. It went on to become the first Honda motorbike sold in the U.S. via then-new American Honda Co. in 1959.

By the early 1960s, Honda had built its first automobiles for the Japanese home market and entered Formula One racing. But it wasn't until 1970 that it exported its first car, the diminutive N600, to the U.S. The automaker initially had a hard time sparking interest among American buyers, but that all changed in 1973 with the introduction of the Civic. The car was larger than Honda's previous models even though it was still very petite compared to compact American cars. The Civic's high fuel efficiency (an important selling point given that decade's energy crisis) and affordability made it Honda's first American success story. By 1976, the Civic had been joined by the Accord, which quickly became a favorite with U.S. consumers as well.

By the 1980s, Honda's success and its reputation as a maker of well-built reliable cars and motorcycles continued to grow. It began building Accords in the U.S. in 1982 and by 1989 had earned the distinction of making America's most popular car. This was also the decade in which Honda created the Acura brand as a way to sell more upscale and luxurious vehicles. Throughout this decade and into the 1990s, the Civic and Accord were huge sellers and considered class benchmarks. Also during this time, Honda continued to innovate through such technologies as variable valve timing, aluminum body construction and improved safety features.

Today, Honda's lineup runs the gamut. Included are fuel-sipping hybrids, a spacious minivan, reliable family sedans, practical SUVs and even a pickup. Although the latest Civic and Accord aren't quite the benchmarks they once were for their respective classes, Honda's brand as a whole continues to be one of the most well respected in the industry, with millions of loyal and satisfied customers.

User Reviews:

• 

  Its a Keeper - 2005 Honda S2000
  By JL Clancy - July 3 - 9:41 pm

  The best thing about driving the S2000 is that I am a lady science teacher and my middle school students love it that I can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds in my Honda. My husband has clocked me. My husbands feet are a little too big for the pedals so he doesnt drive it much but we bought the Honda for me anyway. I zip around the countryside, hugging corners, shifting gears. Sixth gear is the best as I feel the burst of power. People smile and wave to us. Young and old have said, "Cool ride!" And it is.

• 

  2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Ralph - July 3 - 12:56 pm

  Since I have bought the car, I cant wipe the smile off my face. It has great performance, handling, acceleration, sound of exhaust. I get compliments everywhere I go. My average mileage 50percent hwy and 50percent street is 28.9mpg. Seats are very comfortable, tons of room in back seats, shifting the manual 6 speed trans is so easy and fun. 17inch Michelin exalto tires are unbelievable in handling. Stereo system with navi has 350watts of power. I love this car.

• 

  3rd Ridgeline in three years - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By GR8-1 - July 3 - 12:35 pm

  Third Ridgeline to date. Very reliable, dependable. Complaints: Add more seat travel or legroom for the driver! I am 510", another 2 - 3 inches of seat travel would make a WORLD of difference in comfort on long drives. I seldom have any passengers in the rear seat, for the one or two times yearly this occurs, I could move the driver seat up a bit. And speed up the wipers on the "high" setting. Otherwise, very comfortable truck. Adequate power on highways, full time four wheel drive great in snow/ice conditions.

• 

  Best Value SUV - 2009 Honda Pilot
  By Rwags - July 3 - 8:19 am

  Great family ride. Have 2 kids who play a lot of sports, and taking them and their friend to games has been a breeze. Have had 8 people in the Pilot including 6 10 year old boys and everyone fits with plenty of room. Even when I have fewer kids, the kids will elect to sit in the third row. Just goes to show you how much space it has.

• 

  CR new family car! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Elizabeth Essman - July 3 - 1:11 am

  You have to be ok with the range of view. First SUV for me and Im getting used to relying on back up camera and knowing my blind spots. Easier to adapt to than I previously thought.

• 

  CR new family car! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Elizabeth Essman - July 3 - 1:11 am

  You have to be ok with the range of view. First SUV for me and Im getting used to relying on back up camera and knowing my blind spots. Easier to adapt to than I previously thought.

• 

  CR new family car! - 2012 Honda CR-V
  By Elizabeth Essman - July 3 - 1:11 am

  You have to be ok with the range of view. First SUV for me and Im getting used to relying on back up camera and knowing my blind spots. Easier to adapt to than I previously thought.

• 

  Good Subcompact - 2007 Honda Fit
  By Mecheng_Fit Owner - July 2 - 10:13 pm

  Nice little car. I bought an AT Sport maybe should have waited for a MT Sport. The transmission consistently hunts at highway speeds (70-80mph) at any hint of an incline. The gas tank under the drivers seat encroaches on legroom. Excellent interior as well as handling and braking. MPG has been okay: 32-36. The 1.5L is not a typical Honda 4 cylinder, very coarse at high rpm (>4000rpm).

• 

  Great all-around car thats fun to drive - 2007 Honda Accord
  By d_mcg_kc - July 2 - 10:07 pm

  I purchased this car over the 2008+ models, since I prefer the previous body style. This car has been a delight to own thanks to its responsive engine, nimble handling, well-appointed and designed interior and impressive fuel economy. Ive averaged 27.5 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving with the A/C on full blast. Only complaint is a car at this level NEEDS to come with an auxiliary MP3 input jack. Im not wild about the standard Michelin tires, either. They are noisy and telegraph every pavement joint and bump through the steering column.

• 

  2002 Honda CR-V - 2002 Honda CR-V
  By Donald - July 2 - 7:34 pm

  This is the second Honda CR-V Ive owned and I bought both of them used. My wife totaled our other one which was a 1999 model while trying to avoid hitting a deer, I wish she had just totaled the deer, it would have done less damage but, instead she veered off the road and hit a huge rock in a ditch and it cracked the transmission and obliterated the front end suspension. We have never had any problems out of either or our CR-Vs other than that. I have plenty of power for a 4 cylinder, itll do turnpike and interstate speeds all day long with no problem, and I can pull a small boat with it. The gas mileage is decent 24-26 highway and 19-21 around town.